Question: Earlier this month, Hawai‘iGas (formerly The Gas Co.) did some work on Kaimuki Avenue and Olu Street in Kapahulu. Both streets were recently repaved. They didn’t do a very good job of patching the holes they created and, in the process, damaged the roads. The patches and damage look terrible. I am so upset because Olu Street just got repaved after decades, and it’ll be decades before they repave again. We are grateful to have had our street repaved during difficult economic times and budget cuts, so it is disappointing how Hawai‘iGas ruined part of our street. Can anything be done about this? After their poor patch work, it is almost guaranteed the streets will start to crack much sooner than expected. (Combination of two complaints.)
Answer: The good news is that the haphazard patching was only a temporary measure, and we understand workers have already begun to restore the roads to their original condition.
Hawai‘iGas had worked on a pipeline replacement project to “ensure safety of gas transmission,” said Joseph Boivin Jr., senior vice president for external affairs.
The work was part of the company’s leak prevention program.
“A third-party contractor typically used by Hawai‘iGas will conduct final repairs on the road (this) week, weather permitting,” he said. “Once completed Hawai‘iGas personnel will inspect the quality of work.”
Q: Has there been any outcome to the proposal to cite those who place bulky refuse items at curbside too early? If so, what are the provisions for closed communities and condominiums? Would the homeowners association be liable?
A: Even though the law to crack down on people who place their bulky items on the sidewalks too early took effect in January 2011, it still isn’t being enforced.
The city Department of Environmental Services is still finalizing its administrative rules, and enforcement can’t begin until rules are in place.
A public hearing on the proposed “Rules of Practice and Procedure” was held in August.
The department made “minor edits” after the hearing, then transmitted the draft rules to the city corporation counsel, where they are pending legal review and approval, said spokesman Markus Owens. The draft can be found at envhonolulu.org.
Regarding your other questions, they would be “tough to answer at this time,” he said. “Every incident will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.”
Once the city starts enforcing the law, property owners could be subject to fines of $250 per day for each violation.
Mahalo
To Marlene Montiho. On Aug. 22 I was at 720 Iwilei when I discovered my wallet missing. We were leaving the next day for Las Vegas, so I was in a panic. But this young parking booth attendant, who had found my wallet, came out and said, “I’m assuming this belongs to you.” God bless you, sweetie. You just touched my heart to know there are still good people out there. You will always have snacks on me. — Lily Wong
Mahalo
To Marlene Montiho for saving an abandoned kitten last month. I was driving on the H-1 freeway when I saw her pull her vehicle over to the left, turn on her emergency lights, then get out to rescue a frightened kitten sitting on one of the pillars. I followed her because I wanted to commend her for what she did. She went beyond duty and showed me that there are good people in the world today. — Rose Yamaguchi
Marlene has been the recipient of several “mahalos” in “Kokua Line” in the past few years, for helping motorists in distress to finding lost items and returning them.
She told us previously that she believes "if you do a good deed, a good deed will come back to you."
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Write to “Kokua Line” at Honolulu Star-Advertiser, 7 Waterfront Plaza, Suite 210, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., Honolulu 96813; call 529-4773; fax 529-4750; or email kokualine@staradvertiser.com.
